Here is a fun way to add some whimsy to your garden. I’ll show you how to create your own garden girl scarecrow… but she may be too cute to scare off those pesky critters!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Cute and Creative Garden Scarecrow Girl
Today’s garden project is both adorable and affordable to create! I wanted to add a little whimsy to my cottage garden and I thought that a cute scarecrow to watch over everything would be perfect.
This scarecrow is a mix of garden supplies that I already had, a couple of things from the thrift store, and inexpensive accessories from Amazon.
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Materials:
- 2 pieces of wood for the frame
- tomato cage
- button-down shirt
- apron
- tutu
- straw hat
- garden gloves
- basket
01. Make Scarecrow Frame
To make the scarecrow’s body I found 2 pieces of scrap wood in the garage.
You can make your scarecrow as tall as you like, you just have to use a piece of wood long enough for the height you are going for.
To put the “arms” on I made a cross and used one wood screw through both pieces of the wood. I attached the cross piece of wood down far enough that there was space at the top to attach a hat.
By just using one screw it was still easy to move the “arms.
02. Set Up Scarecrow Form In The Garden
In the spot that I want to add the scarecrow I first grabbed a cheap tomato cage and flipped it upside down.
Then I slipped a brown tutu over the cage before I banged the wooden scarecrow frame into the ground.
Next, I banged the wood scarecrow form into the ground with a sledgehammer to make it sturdy.
03. Dressing Your Garden Scarecrow Girl
It is easier to use a button-down shirt for a scarecrow because of getting the sleeves over the wooden arms.
Most likely you are going to have to move the arm piece of wood to get both sleeves of the shirt onto the wood…another reason that using just one screw is helpful so you can adjust it.
This green oxford shirt was a thrift store find. Definitely check your local thrift store for supplies to dress your scarecrow first.
My thrift store didn’t have any good aprons that I could use for her outfit. But I found an inexpensive set of 3 on Amazon that was floral and went with the cottage vibe.
Plus, in case this one gets faded from the sun I can change it.
04. Accessorize!
Now for the finishing touches to the scarecrow…accessories!
Starting with a straw hat that I found at the thrift store. To attach it I used a small nail through the hat into the wood.
Instead of using one of my scarves I wrapped crafting mesh ribbon around the hat and tied a knot to keep it on.
Next, I slipped a pair of fabric garden gloves over the ends of the wood to give the scarecrow hands.
The finishing touch was to slip a thrift store basket over her wrist and fill it with an artificial bunch of baby’s breath. Although I would have loved to put a small pot of real flowers in the basket it would dry out too quickly.
Finished Garden Girl Scarecrow
How cute is she?? I’m not sure my garden scarecrow is going to scare many critters away but I have to tell you that I’ve caught her out of the corner of my eye while I’ve been out there and had to take a double take thinking someone was there!!!
In the corner, I made a small garden area using a piece of vintage garden fencing that I found last year at a vintage market. Soon the flowers will be filling in here. I transplanted a couple of pastel yarrows that I grew last year and added a catmint. There are cosmos and sunflower seeds coming up in this garden too. It will look so pretty once everything is flowering mid-Summer!
Get more ideas for using thrift store & vintage finds in your garden to create your own cottage garden look.
See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
Cottage Garden
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Every month Stacy, Kim, Lora, & I get together and share fun thrifting finds or vintage shopping that we have done over the month. We all live in different parts of the country so it’s always fun to see what they have found.
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Jennifer
I love her.
You did a fabulous job making your girl scarecrow. She awesome.
Do you leave your scarecrow cottage garden girl out all year or bring her in in the Winter months?
I’ll take her down or she’ll be a frozen snow-scarecrow!Once we get a frost and I’m cleaning up the garden for the season.
Such a cute scarecrow! I love it.
I need someone to talk to, Rachel!! At least she isn’t a wiseguy like my teenager!!
She’s seriously the best! I love what you did here Jennifer! But she’s too cute, it’s hard to think that she can scare anything away.
She scares me sometimes!! But judging by the fox screaming at something by my garden last night I don’t think it’s really working!!
This is too cute! Love her cottagy vibe with the floral apron. Think she’d scare away squirrels? I need one to keep them away;)
I have chipmunks wreaking havoc in my garden and digging up my bean and cuke seeds!! I used to think they were so adorable before I was a gardener!!
She certainly is a cutie and would be great company when you garden, lol!!
Marlene, I need someone to talk to out there!!
Super
Cute idea. I love it.
Thanks, Renae!!
She’s perfect! And giving that cute jacket a little competition…wonder if that will scare away my deer and groundhogs! Worth a try!
You can keep both of them down south!!
Your scarecrow lady is so cute! I tend to only think of scarecrows as decor for fall, and she looks perfect for spring and summer, thanks so much for sharing!
I know! I’ve been wanting to make one for a couple of seasons but never get to it on my project list.
Absolutely love that Peter Rabbit jacket and shoes. I’m on the hunt now for one for my back yard. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Mary! It was really easy to make out of blue felt & fabric glue…I made it last year and even left it out all winter and it still looks good!
What a great idea for the garden! She turned out so fun. I hope it works to keep the critters away!
LOL! They aren’t afraid of a thing around here.